The new year is quickly approaching, presenting us with new relationships and new opportunities, as our imaginations soar, and dreams come true await around every corner.
I hope 2024 will inspire your creativity to venture into places you have never been before, and bring joy to your body, mind, and spirit as you embark on this journey of self-discovery.
Thank you to all my wonderful visitors for reading, following, liking, and commenting! You inspire me every day to create new works of art and to share ideas with so many of you with a passion for art and admiration for the beautiful world in which we live.
It feels like 2023 is flying by. In fact, time seems to go by faster every year.
The presents are all wrapped with care.
The appetizers are made and the table is set, ready for guests.
Wanting to be part of the celebration, the family pet has discovered the centerpiece is edible. Uh oh!
I want to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and any other holidays you may celebrate! Thank you for sharing this blogging journey with me. It’s wonderful to be part of this community and I look forward to sharing more in the new year.
Thanks for Reading, Happy Holidays, and Happy Crafting!
We may think we came up with the concept of tree décor, but Mother Nature has been decorating trees since the beginning of time. Let’s see how she does it and maybe find some inspiration along the way…
Ornaments:
When your tree heights range from 3-feet to 380-feet, you’re going to need a wide variety of ornaments, and most of those are alive!
Bromeliads
Birds
Butterflies
Fruits & Berries
Leaves & Needles
Animals
Moss
Mushrooms
Peach Blossoms
Seeds, Pinecones & Seedpods
Garlands:
Many people like to string popcorn for their trees, and of course there are multicolor garland selections in stores and online. Mother Nature prefers the DIY approach.
Bougainvillea
Ivy
Rangoon Creeper
Trumpet Vine
Wisteria
Lighting & Special Effects:
Mother Nature pulls out all the stops, from wind and weather to bioluminescence, to dazzle our eyes with one-of-a-kind displays.
Fireflies
Frost & Ice
Lightning
Moonlight
Rain
Wind
Mother Nature’s Best:
As caretaker of the earth, Mother Nature is always busy creating new and exciting things for us to see and enjoy. Here are just a few of her best tree designs.
Dogwood Trees
Holly Trees
Japanese Cherry Trees
Joshua Trees
Pine Trees
Plumeria Trees
Snow Covered Trees
Tulip Magnolia Trees
Weeping Willow Trees
I hope you have enjoyed and perhaps feel a little inspired to take a fresh look, through new eyes, at the beauty that surrounds you. It’s out there waiting and it’s yours to discover.
Thanks for Reading, Happy Holidays, & Happy Crafting!
We’ve all heard the expression, “when pigs fly,” implying impossibility. Well, we won’t let that stop us from expressing our creativity!
Sometimes you find your next art project in the most unlikely of places! I found this cute little winged pig at the local Rite Aid Pharmacy. Although it’s fine the way it is, I thought it would be nice to add some color. Break out your brushes and acrylic paints because we’re going to give this little piggy a makeover. In my excitement to get started, I had already painted the eyes when I realized I hadn’t taken a “Before” photo. In its original state, there was no color at all.
Here’s a photo of the back. The wings are so cute.
Before we get started, I found a photo of this piglet for inspiration. Please feel free to choose any colors you like. The mix of colors on the spotted pig featured at the top of this post would make a great color scheme as well.
To complete this project, you will need several acrylic paints and two paint brushes (1 large & 1 small). Clear spray paint is optional.
Paint the details first, including the hooves, eyes, tongue, and the inside of each ear.
Here is a close up of his smiling little face. The eyes are painted brown, with black pupils and a dot of white in each eye to create a lively expression.
Because the black hooves seemed to be too much contrast, I changed the color of the hooves to tan. In doing so, the eyes become the focal point. Mix white and fuchsia together to create the desired shade of pink, and use it to paint the entire body, except for the end of the snout, which is unpainted.
Here is the back photo. The wings are also unpainted. If you like a challenge, you could come up with a unique scheme for the feathers, possibly using iridescent colors. To protect the acrylic paints, the entire statue was sprayed with clear spray paint.
BeforeAfter
This fun and easy project is inexpensive and can be completed in a very short amount of time. All drug stores have a seasonal section, which is marked down after every holiday and at season’s end by as much as 50% -75% off. There are some great options for adults as well as kids.
When I was a kid, I loved dressing up in costumes, imagining who or what I could be. If that wasn’t an option, I would wait until Saturday morning when my mom changed the beds. Why? Because a flat sheet transformed into a gorgeous gown, and the fitted sheet became a hooded cape.
Today, there are so many options for readymade costumes and accessories. Want to take your costume to the next level? Cosplayers design and make their own costumes to participate year-round in worldwide conventions and competitions. Let’s explore the world of cosplay…
Knight in Shining Armor
Designing and building cosplay costumes requires a multitude of skills, including fashion design, industrial design, leather & metal working, hair, makeup, & accessories, wiring, robotics, special effects, and many others.
Industrial Science Fiction
The shapes, colors, and textures work together to create a story. Who is this man? Why does he wear a mask? Pale blue contacts provide another layer as his watchful eyes dare you to come closer.
Vikings– Father & Son
Period appropriate clothing made from hand-tooled leather with leather ties, chain mail, hairstyles, and facial hair are all important elements for these successful characters.
The Good Witch
This is not your typical witch. The neon orange against the black creates an eye-catching look. Blue highlights in her hair perfectly frame her face with its unusual makeup palette, which manages to be macabre and beautiful at the same time.
Body Painting
Body painting is a full commitment from head to toe and really makes a statement.
Every Little Detail Counts
When you create a well-known costume, you must get the details correct. Character recognition and countless competition prizes depend upon it.
Deadpool
Star Wars
Poison Ivy
Elsa from Disney’s Frozen
Julius Caesar
Wednesday from the Addams Family
Anime (retains human qualities)
Anime (doll-like qualities)
Woodland Fairy
Goddess Warrior
Mother Nature
SteampunkMan
Steampunk Dog
Warrior Samurai
Warrior Gaming
Warrior League of Legends
This is my favorite. Each intricate design coordinates with the others, from her costume to the swords and even the tattoos upon her sides. A healthy dose of attitude completes this warrior’s fierce appearance.
Costume design doesn’t have to end with Halloween. In fact, it’s only the beginning. Dare to dream and inspiration will carry you wherever you wish to go.
I am thrilled and humbled to have reached a major blogging milestone: 750 Followers. My sincere thanks to each of you. Whether you stop by for a quick read, or settle in and stay for a while, your presence is greatly appreciated.
Sharing images and words sends ripples of inspiration around the world. I feel privileged to belong to this amazing blogging community.
We express ourselves through photography, music, poetry, arts & crafts, and many other ways too numerous to mention. It does not matter what approach you choose. By sharing our gifts, we help each other to grow, learn, and discover hidden talents on this creative journey called life.
Thanks for reading, liking, commenting & following!
Origami is an ancient art of paper folding. Boats are one of the more familiar forms, but there is a wide variety of shapes, including animals, trees, and flowers. Let’s explore this beautiful form of art.
Traditional Origami:
Bird
Butterflies
Crane in Flight
Dragon
Flower
Horses
Kangaroos
Pig
Rabbits
Swan
Vulture
Golden Venture Origami:
Did you know there are several types of origami? Golden Venture origami uses multiple pieces of paper to create three-dimensional freestanding sculptures. This was new to me. I love it and I hope you will too.
Closeup Detail of Bird’s Face
Easter Basket with Eggs
Frog
Pineapple
Swan
Origami Gifts & Décor:
In addition to being an impressive form of art to be displayed in your home or office, origami also makes a great choice for gifts and home décor.
Diorama
Birthday Gifts
Toys
Home Décor – Garland or Wreath
Party/Holiday Decorations
Mobiles
Accent Lighting
Wedding Décor
I hope you have been inspired to give paper crafting a try. There are a multitude of books, websites, videos, and classes to learn more about the many facets of origami. Do you have any favorites? Please let me know in the comments.
We all dream of fun in the sun at the beaches on exotic tropical islands. Until vacation time rolls around again, we can find ways to bring a little sunshine into our homes and maybe a smile or two along the way. This week’s project is a painted wooden pineapple. As usual, we’ll need a little inspiration courtesy of Mother Nature.
It’s amazing how many colors can be found in the outer skin of a pineapple.
The complex textures and geometric patterns are beautiful.
Pineapples have long been a symbol for hospitality. What could be a better way to greet everyone to your home than displaying a bright welcoming pineapple?
How to Paint a Textured Wooden Pineapple:
Pineapple has such a wonderful texture that needs to be touched. By using fabric paints, you can create thick, 3-D effects with very little effort.
Raw Wood Pineapple
Thick wood has been cut out in the shape of a pineapple and has the advantage of strong, rectangular base. Both sides and all the edges will need to be painted. Due to the raw nature of the wood, it may require a little sanding, especially along the edges.
Supplies Supplies:
Wooden Pineapple (11-3/8” high x 5” wide x 1/2” thick) (Base is 5” wide x 2” deep)
Acrylic Paints – brown, yellow, green, tan
5) Bottles Fabric Paint – dark green, yellow, white (not shown)
Paintbrushes
Sandpaper
Black Sharpie Marker or pencil
Paint Base Colors
Using acrylic paints and a brush, paint the leaves green, the remainder of the pineapple yellow and the base brown.
Define the Leaves
Draw the leaf details with a Sharpie marker or pencil.
Texture the Leaves
Trace the leaves with green fabric paint, including the perimeter edges. Allow the paint to dry overnight. Depending upon how thick you want the texture to be, it may require a second coat.
Texture the Pineapple
Starting at the base of the leaves, paint two horizontal rows of irregularly shaped rectangles with yellow fabric paint.
Directional Texture
Continue painting the yellow texture, working on a diagonal as shown. I started in the upper right corner and staggered the shapes, which get larger as you work toward the bottom.
Completed Yellow Texture
This photo shows the completed yellow texture. Allow it to dry overnight. If you accidentally get yellow paint on the brown base, simply touch up the paint as needed. It’s now ready for a few finishing touches.
Little Details
To complete the look, make a dot in the center of each yellow “block” and create an upward stroke of paint, which narrows to a point. Repeat this step across the entire yellow pineapple surface. Allow drying time. For the last step, use a tiny brush to apply tan acrylic paint to the tip of each white point.
Finished Pineapple
This completes the textured pineapple project. I hope you enjoyed it.
Have you painted any wooden home décor items? Do you have any secrets for creating texture? Please share your ideas in the comments section.
Welcome to part two of table décor. Last week we reviewed the basic elements used in decorating tables. Today, we will see table designs for most occasions celebrated throughout the year. In case you missed part one, please click here.
Contemporary Table Décor
There are variations within each, but, in terms of style, designs usually fall into three categories: traditional, contemporary, and eclectic. We’ll start with holidays, followed by special occasions and finish with table décor for the four seasons. Let’s begin…
Holiday Table Décor:
Valentine’s Day
Mardi Gras
St. Patrick’s Day
Easter
Mexican Celebrations
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Independence Day – Fourth of July(U.S.A.)
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Year’s Eve
Special Occasion Table Décor:
Afternoon Tea
Anniversary
Baby Shower
Birthday – Kid’s
Birthday – Kid’s
Birthday – Adult’s
Birthday – Adult’s
Engagement
Romantic Evening
Wedding
Seasons Table Décor:
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Summer
This concludes our exploration of table décor. I hope you have found some inspiration for your next celebration. Which ones are your favorites? Do you have any table decorating ideas to share? Please let me know in the comment section.
Earlier this year, one of my followers requested a post featuring table décor inspirations for year-round events. I discovered so many ideas that it will require two posts: Part 1 covers elements used in table décor, including decorations, lighting, food presentation, etc.; Part 2 features table décor designs for most holidays and special occasions throughout the year. Let’s get started…
Balloons, Fabric & 3-Dimensional Design
When planning your table décor, remember to think in three dimensions. The space above the table, including the ceiling, can be incorporated into your design.
Balloon Bouquets
Balloons have come a long way from the old days. The varieties include patterns, multicolor, & foil, in multiple shapes and sizes, including favorite characters from movies, comic books and cartoons.
Candles
Sweet fragrances, beautiful colors, and romantic lighting are all benefits of candles.
Color Theme: Pink
The theme for table décor is often drawn from the occasion, such as red for Valentine’s Day, but you may choose any theme that comes to mind, such as your favorite color.
Color Theme: Red & Gold
Want to create some drama? Choose bold color combinations for an eye-catching table.
Floral Centerpieces
Contrary to popular belief, the centerpiece does not have to be in the center. This off-center fresh cut floral centerpiece, with coordinating draped fabric, provides plenty of room for place settings, in an artfully designed composition.
Silk Flowers
Silk flowers are easy to work with and can be reused for future events.
Floral Focal Points at Varying Heights
Varying the heights of your décor creates visual interest and appeal.
Food Presentation
If you have culinary skills, be sure to showcase your talents as food becomes part of your table décor. We eat with our eyes first, so create a mouthwatering masterpiece for your guests to enjoy.
Lighting
Lighting sets the mood and tone for any occasion.
Lighting – Specialty
Depending upon the setting, lights can be suspended above the table or around the perimeter of the room, adding warmth and perhaps a bit of whimsy.
Folded Napkin Art
Simple linen napkins can be elevated to an art form via napkin folding techniques. Many how-to videos are available online.
Place Settings – Simple
These cool matte gray dishes are accented by shiny gold rims, paired with gold flatware and accessories. The gold toned wood tabletop serves as the perfect backdrop.
Place Settings – Layered
Multiple layers of coordinating or contrasting elements include tablecloths and/or placemats, chargers, varying plate sizes, napkins & rings, and place cards,
Festive Tablecloths
Tablecloths in every color and infinite patterns are easily found online or in stores for every possible occasion. Lace tablecloths can be layered over solid colors. As an alternative, you can purchase fabric and drape it over the table for a one-of-a-kind look.
Seasonal Décor
Consider using many elements associated with the occasion being celebrated, such as small, wrapped gift boxes at Christmas, or chocolates for Valentines Day or Easter. Adding items such as evergreen, sliced oranges, or cinnamon scent the air with sweet seasonal fragrances.
Thinking Outside the Box:
Location, Location, Location
Where will you place your table? Is it an indoor or outdoor location? Will it be freestanding or up against a wall. Let the location inspire your design.
Table & Chairs
Will you be using a traditional table and chairs? Will your guests dine at the table, or will it be buffet style? Could you serve appetizers on bar top tables?
Local Flavor
This can include natural elements, such as sand & seashells for the beach, or pinecones & evergreen for the mountains. Local flavor also refers to cultural décor and traditions.
Floral Table Runner
Not all table runners have to be fabric, although traditional ones come in a variety of materials and often have decorative needlework or intricate lace patterns. As an alternative, fresh cut or silk flowers can serve as table runners as shown above. Silk garlands are a very simple way to achieve the same look.
Floating Floral Centerpiece
Water features are often overlooked in table décor. Floating flowers or petals lends a peaceful, Zen-like quality to your design.
Floating Folded Napkin Art
Years ago, my family had a party under a large tent. Water filled bowls with floating flowers served as centerpieces. Thick lush blooms were our first choice, but none were available. We used Gerber daisies, which were pretty but lacked the three-dimensional effect we wanted. Napkins folded into large blooms might be the solution. Someday I’ll experiment with this idea and let you know the results. Do you have any suggestions?
I hope you enjoyed this exploration of table décor. Please click here to read part two, featuring table décor designs for all occasions. What is your favorite holiday or occasion for decorating? Do you have any ideas to share? Please let me know in the comments.
Crafts Inspire Me 